The Quirks of Being A Writer

The Quirks of Being A Writer

Twain, Hemingway, Nabokov, Dumas, what do all of these famous writers have in common? Besides being genius writers, they all have one secret to how they work (a secret quirk if you will).. From laying down in bed to write to using a color-coding system or having index cards handy when waiting for that stroke of genius, each author finds creative juice through these processes. Take a look at some of the eccentric habits these authors had that may just help you and your writing process.

1: Lying Down

Mark Twain in bed

For some writers, lying down seems to jump start their creative juices while also helping them focus on writing. They find inspiration and the right words to start writing while laying down in their own beds. Mark Twain, Woody Allen, Edith Wharton, are just some of the many famous authors who do indulge in this comfy quirk. It seems that these individuals were known for churning out page after page when a sofa or bed was involved.

2: Standing Up

Hemingway standing up

Writing standing up is also not very common, specifically among critically acclaimed authors: writers like Hemingway, Dickens, Roth find themselves standing over their choice of writing because it channels their ability to imagine new possibilities. These great thinkers have been inspired to create their finest pieces while standing at a desk. This works really well with writers who are health-conscious because it’s proven to have health benefits.

3: Writing with index cards

Vladimir Nabokov writing a draft on index cards.

Nabokov, author of Lolita, Ada, and Pale Fire etc., had a very peculiar way of writing his ideas. He composed all his work on index cards, which he kept in slim boxes; this method let him write scenes so they wouldn’t be in sequence and put the cards in any order he liked. He also stored index cards underneath his pillow. This way if an idea popped up in his head while he was in bed, he could write it down instantly. Using index cards can be a different way to knock some fun ideas loose.

4: Using a color-coded system

French author Alexandre Dumas wrote Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo used a color coding system of writing. This genius was actually very precise on the palettes of colors for his works. For decades, Dumas used different colors to show his type of writing: Blue was for his fiction, pink for his nonfiction, or yellow for his articles and poetry. Maybe colors are the new way to think not only about genre, but to develop an organizing methodology for your novel?

5: Hanging upside down

Dan Brown

Hanging upside down is the cure for writer’s block; at least that is what famous writer Dan Brown believes. Apparently, hanging upside down helps him concentrate and relax better for his writing. The more he does this gravity bending quirk, the more he feels inspired and at peace to write. The Da Vinci Code writer also has his fair share of good luck charms as well. The hourglass on his desk gets set every hour so Brown does some stretches, push-ups or sit-ups and allows his brain a break from his manuscript. Why not give it a try?

6: Writing without clothes

Victor Hugo

Have a deadline? Write naked; at least that’s what author Victor Hugo did when he had a deadline. While writing The Hunchback of Notre Dame, he told his valet to take all of his clothes so he wouldn’t be able to leave his house. Even during the coldest days and nights, the author only wrapped himself in a blanket while he penned his imaginations to story.

No matter how extreme or comfy the quirk, it’s obvious that writers use them to break the monotony of sitting at the desk for hours on end. It seems that writers will do anything to meet their goal. And while some of these methods might sound peculiar, hey, whos’s to judge. Get weird with it, as long as you’re writing.